Energy Week 2021
Energy Week showcases leading University of Alberta researchers and teachers who are helping to shape the ways we generate, use, and manage energy.
The complexity of our energy systems means they touch all aspects of our lives, making energy transition one of the greatest challenges facing our society today. We must examine energy through the lens of our changing, globalized world, weighing the implications of our current energy systems, understanding how they can be transitioned to new technologies, and exploring possibilities we can aspire to in the future.
From September 20 - 24, 2021, we invite you to participate in exciting programming.
- All week, you can attend the Future Energy Systems Research Symposium, featuring talented students presenting breakthrough research related to all areas of the energy system.
- Take part in the family-friendly game of Become an Earth Doctor, led by Dr. Valerie Miller.
- Learn about solar fuels with Chemistry professor Dr. Steve Bergens and his lab at Energy Talks, presented in partnership with the Edmonton Public Library.
- Attend the North American Energy Dialogue seminar, Accelerating the Net-Zero Transition: Can CCUS support keep pace?, moderated by engineering professor Dr. Rick Chalaturnyk.
- Participate in the launch of a new educational book for children, the Energy Adventures of Tommy and Remi: The Mystery of the Glowing Light.
Don't want to miss any Energy Week news? Want to keep up to date on energy systems at the UofA?
Energy Week Programming
Future Energy Systems Research Symposium
Monday, 20 September - Friday, 24 September, 2021
Celebrate excellence in energy research with more than 100 research talks and posters from Future Energy Systems students and post-doctoral fellows. This event showcases groundbreaking energy research and provides unique interdisciplinary networking opportunities for all participants.
Sessions will be held throughout the week, focusing on special topics including Alternative Fuels (Monday, Sept 20, 9:30 MT), Hydrocarbons (Tuesday, Sept 21, 10:00 MT), Landscapes (Tuesday, Sept 21, 13:00 MT), Renewables (Wednesday, Sept 22, 10:00 MT), Energy Storage (Wednesday, Sept 22, 13:00 MT), and Systems and Futures (Thursday, Sept 23, 13:00 MT). Learn more about each of these topics here. The full schedule will be available soon and you can register here.
Energy at Home: Become an Earth Doctor
Tuesday, 21 September, 2021
Do you want to be an Earth Doctor? Explore the steps of land reclamation with land reclamation scientists from Future Energy Systems and the Land Reclamation International Graduate School, University of Alberta. By playing along with the Dungeons and Dragons style game, you will face the challenges of land reclamation and try to heal the Earth yourself.
This session is recommended for children age 10 to 16 and families, but all are welcome. The supplies you will need are: blank paper, pencil or pen and one dice (or random number generator). Dr. Valerie Miller will walk you through a fun game for the whole family to enjoy in this interactive learning experience on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.
Presented in partnership with the Edmonton Public Library for Science Literacy Week 2021, which runs concurrently with Energy Week. This activity is part of the Energy at Home series, which provides an opportunity for families to engage with energy systems research and learn more about the wonderful world of energy.
Energy Talks: Greenhouse-Gas-Zero Fuel from Water, CO2, and Sunlight
Wednesday, 22 September, 2021 (19:00 - 20:30 MT)
Solar fuels: capturing the energy of the sun and storing it in the form of carbon dioxide. It's one of the many ways UofA researchers are advancing the field of energy, and you can learn more from Dr. Steve Bergens (Science) and his team of researchers on Wednesday, September 22, 2021.
Presented in partnership with the Edmonton Public Library, the Energy Talks speakers series provides an opportunity for you to engage with world-leading researchers and learn more about the future of our energy system.
Accelerating the Net-Zero Transition: Can CCUS support keep pace?
Thursday, 23 September, 2021 (11:00 - 12:30 MT)
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage will be vital as our energy system moves towards net zero emissions. Dr. Rick Chalaturnyk (Engineering) is one of the leading voices in the field of deep ground carbon storage, and he will moderate a panel of leading North American experts as they discuss the future of carbon capture on Thursday, September 23, 2021.
This event is a North American Energy Dialogue offered in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin and the Tecnologico de Monterrey. The series examines energy in the North American context with discussions of the evolving nature of the energy interdependence between Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Book Launch: The Energy Adventures of Tommy and Remi
Thursday, 23 September, 2021 (18:00 MT)
Future Energy Systems is proud to present The Energy Adventures of Tommy and Remi, an educational children's book series.
Tommy and Remi, energy adventurers, explore the world of energy and climate change in search of ways to make a difference. In their debut adventure, The Mystery of the Glowing Light, they charge into the shocking world of electricity and the electrical grid. With the help of their science consultant Reginald and new friend Nik, they learn how electricity is generated and transmitted all the way into their homes. They also learn how they can reduce how much electricity they use!
Join the creative team behind this series on Thursday, 23 September, 2021 as they launch the first adventure with Tommy the dog and Remi the cat, who are investigating the mysteries of the electric grid. This event is presented in partnership with the Edmonton Public Library as part of Science Literacy Week 2021, which runs concurrently with Energy Week.
Are you a teacher or librarian? Would you like to bring Tommy and Remi to your school, library, or community group? We are also hosting a book event on Friday, 24 September, 2021 at 14:00-15:00 MDT for school groups. Sign up your class today!
More programming information is coming soon! Check back here to learn more.